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As the new year gets underway, the latest data from the Opendock Index offers a revealing snapshot of where warehouse activity stands across key industry sectors. Updated with January 2026 figures, the index, which uses a baseline of 100 to represent "normal" activity levels, paints a picture of a supply chain still working through the aftereffects of 2025's shifting demand patterns. While some sectors are showing encouraging signs of recovery, the broader trend points to a cautious, uneven start to the year.
Furniture, Appliances and Equipment: A Sector Under Pressure
The news was notably grim for the furniture, appliances, and equipment sector. Warehouse appointment volumes dropped 9.6% month-on-month in January, pushing the index to 11.2% below last year's levels. This looks like more than just the typical post-holiday lull. The leading explanation is that distributors pulled shipments forward earlier in 2025, and are now rightsizing inventory as demand for big-ticket items remains soft. Until consumer appetite for major purchases picks back up, this sector is likely to stay under pressure.
Food, Beverage and OTC: A Bright Spot
In contrast, the food and consumer staples sector offered a more optimistic signal. Warehouse appointments rose 1.7% month-on-month and came in 8.7% above January of last year, nudging the index back above the 100 baseline. Demand for everyday essentials proved resilient, and this sector's performance stands out as one of the more encouraging data points in an otherwise subdued report.
Packaging: Bouncing Back from a Seasonal Dip
Packaging activity followed a similar upward trajectory, rebounding after December's seasonal slowdown. Appointment volumes grew 3.0% month-on-month and were 12.6% higher than the same period last year, pushing the index back above the 100 line. The recovery here suggests that packaging demand is holding up well and tracking broader consumer goods activity fairly closely.
Third-Party Logistics (3PL): Big Jump, But Still Below Normal
3PL warehouses saw a strong month-on-month surge of 12.5% in January, recovering from a weak December. However, context matters: the index remains below 100 and is still 18.7% lower than last January. That gap is a reminder that the earlier pull-forward of peak logistics activity into summer and autumn 2025 continues to distort year-over-year comparisons. The rebound looks more like a bounce off a low floor than the beginning of a sustained acceleration.
All Industries: A Soft Opening to 2026
Zooming out to the all-industries view, the Opendock Index registered 94.5 in January, down 0.9% from December and 10.9% below last year. Overall warehouse appointment volumes remain below what would be considered normal, and there's little evidence of a meaningful post-holiday rebound taking shape. The aggregate picture reflects a supply chain that is still digesting the ripple effects of last year's demand timing shifts.
Looking Ahead
January's data makes clear that 2026 is beginning on uneven footing. Sectors tied to everyday consumer needs, food, beverages, and packaging, are holding their own, while interest-rate-sensitive categories like furniture and appliances continue to struggle. For 3PL providers, the road back to year-over-year growth will likely be a gradual one. As inventory normalization continues and demand patterns stabilize, the coming months will be telling. For now, the Opendock Index suggests that patience, and close attention to sector-level signals, will be key for logistics and supply chain professionals navigating the months ahead.